Inklingo

How to Say "split" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “split” is “partido” — use 'partido' as a past participle to describe something that has been divided or broken into pieces, often referring to food or physical objects.

partido🔊A2

Use 'partido' as a past participle to describe something that has been divided or broken into pieces, often referring to food or physical objects.

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parte🔊B1

Use 'parte' as a verb in the imperative (command) form to instruct someone to divide something, like food or a physical object.

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divisiónB2

Use 'división' to talk about a general separation or breaking apart of a group, especially in a political or organizational context.

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ruptura🔊B1

Use 'ruptura' to describe a more definitive break or separation within a relationship or a group, often implying emotional distance or conflict.

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fractura🔊B2

Use 'fractura' to indicate a significant division or rift, often within society or a large organization, suggesting a deep disagreement or separation.

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English → Spanish

partido

par-TEE-dohpaɾˈti.ðo

Past ParticipleA2General
Use 'partido' as a past participle to describe something that has been divided or broken into pieces, often referring to food or physical objects.
A red apple cut precisely in half, illustrating something split or divided.

Examples

Hemos partido la tarta en seis trozos.

We have split the cake into six pieces.

Encontré un billete partido por la mitad en la calle.

I found a bill split in half on the street.

Con este frío, siempre tengo los labios partidos.

With this cold weather, I always have chapped lips.

El espejo está partido, ten cuidado.

The mirror is cracked, be careful.

Making it Match

Because this is a describing word (an adjective), it needs to match the thing it's describing. Use partido for masculine things ('el coco partido') and partida for feminine things ('la manzana partida').

Two Main Jobs

Partido does two things as a verb form. First, it teams up with haber to talk about completed actions (e.g., he partido - I have split). Second, it can act as a describing word, just like the adjective version (e.g., la leña partida - the split firewood).

parte

PAR-tehˈpaɾte

VerbB1General
Use 'parte' as a verb in the imperative (command) form to instruct someone to divide something, like food or a physical object.
A hand using a knife to neatly slice a round cheese wheel into two perfect halves on a wooden board.

Examples

Parte el pastel en ocho trozos, por favor.

Cut the cake into eight pieces, please.

Es importante que usted parte de cero en este proyecto.

It's important that you start from scratch on this project.

No quiero que se parte la cuerda.

I don't want the rope to break.

A Form of the Verb 'partir'

This isn't a word on its own, but a form of the verb 'partir' (to cut, split, leave). You'll see 'parte' used as a command for 'tú' (you): '¡Parte el pan!' (Cut the bread!).

división

NounB2General
Use 'división' to talk about a general separation or breaking apart of a group, especially in a political or organizational context.

Examples

Hay mucha división en el partido político.

There is a lot of division in the political party.

ruptura

roop-TOO-rahrupˈtu.ɾa

NounB1General
Use 'ruptura' to describe a more definitive break or separation within a relationship or a group, often implying emotional distance or conflict.
A storybook illustration showing two simple, stylized figures standing far apart from each other on a plain background, symbolizing separation.

Examples

Su ruptura después de cinco años fue muy dolorosa.

Their breakup after five years was very painful.

La ruptura de las negociaciones sorprendió a todos los países.

The rupture of negotiations surprised all the countries.

Always Feminine

Since 'ruptura' ends in '-a' and is a feminine noun, you must always use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la ruptura', 'una ruptura difícil').

fractura

frak-TOO-rahfɾakˈtuɾa

NounB2Formal
Use 'fractura' to indicate a significant division or rift, often within society or a large organization, suggesting a deep disagreement or separation.
A colorful illustration of a large floating rock split into two separate pieces with a gap between them.

Examples

Existe una fractura social profunda entre el campo y la ciudad.

There is a deep social rift between the countryside and the city.

La decisión del líder causó una fractura interna en el partido.

The leader's decision caused an internal split in the party.

Abstract usage

When using the word for ideas or groups, it functions exactly like the physical version but describes a 'break' in unity.

partido

par-TEE-dohpaɾˈti.ðo

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'partido' as an adjective to describe something that is physically broken or divided into two or more parts.
A red apple cut precisely in half, illustrating something split or divided.

Examples

Encontré un billete partido por la mitad en la calle.

I found a bill split in half on the street.

Con este frío, siempre tengo los labios partidos.

With this cold weather, I always have chapped lips.

El espejo está partido, ten cuidado.

The mirror is cracked, be careful.

Hemos partido la tarta en seis trozos.

We have split the cake into six pieces.

Making it Match

Because this is a describing word (an adjective), it needs to match the thing it's describing. Use partido for masculine things ('el coco partido') and partida for feminine things ('la manzana partida').

Two Main Jobs

Partido does two things as a verb form. First, it teams up with haber to talk about completed actions (e.g., he partido - I have split). Second, it can act as a describing word, just like the adjective version (e.g., la leña partida - the split firewood).

Noun vs. Verb for 'Splitting'

Learners often confuse when to use 'partir' (as a verb) and when to use nouns like 'división' or 'ruptura'. Remember, 'parte' (imperative verb) is for commands to divide something physically, while 'división' and 'ruptura' refer to the abstract concept of separation or a break within a group.

Related Translations

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